Computer Club Open House February 11th/ 17th, 2020
Streaming Devices Open House
Streaming devices, such as those listed below, are used to deliver video to your television via the internet. The video (channels) may be Netflix, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Apple TV Plus, local channels, etc.
All the devices below connect to your television via your televisions HDMI port. Remember that most “smart televisions” already deliver these services once the television is connected to the internet. The streaming devices typically update themselves regularly, unlike may smart TV’s.
All these devices require power, although the power cord from the device may be able to be plugged into a USB port on the TV for power. We are not promoting one device over another. These four popular options are listed in alphabetical order.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Owned by Amazon, it works well with other Amazon products such as Alexa, Recast TV, Amazon Prime and Music. It uses “apps” (applications) to connect to the various streaming services. These apps are either preinstalled or downloaded from the Amazon store. It is operated with a supplied remote control. The Fire TV Stick as the name implies is a small stick that plugs into HDMI ports. It connects to the internet wirelessly.
Apple TV
Owned by Apple, Apple TV is a small cube shaped box as opposed to a stick. It has powerful hardware, and works seamlessly with Apple iPad, iPhone, and Mac laptops. It will work without the Apple devices as well. Apple TV uses “apps” (applications) to connect to the various streaming services. These apps are either preinstalled or downloaded from the Apple app store. It is operated with a supplied remote control. It may connect to the internet wired or wirelessly.
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Computer Club Open House February 11th/ 17th, 2020
Google Chromecast
Owned by Google, this small device is very different in function than the other devices listed here. Chromecast does not have apps, it simply mirrors or broadcasts what is on the screen of your computer, laptop or tablet to your television. There is no remote and connects to the internet wirelessly.
Roku
Owned by the American company Roku, they supply small cube shaped boxes or stick devices to connect to your HDMI port on your TV. They come in many models with newer models having upgraded hardware. The onscreen presentation is quite similar to the Apple TV and Fire TV Stick. Content is also quite similar also. The boxes can connect to the internet wired or wirelessly, the sticks wirelessly. Roku comes pre-loaded on many “smart TV’s” such as TCL brand.
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